A disclaimer before I dive into this topic: I am not promoting any particular religion or ideology but just trying to analize the Filipino culture in all its avenues, including the mystical and religious aspect, one of which is faith healing and how, as I have mentioned in a few posts, certain non-Christian rituals and beliefs get mixed with Christian elements.
In the Philippines there are basically 3 types of faith healers.
Albularyo
An albularyo is a “folk doctor” generally found in the kabukiran of the Philippines.
An albularyo heals people using herbs and hilot or massage. The main reason why people resort to albularyos is because people believe that they have supernatural powers.
The albularyos practice their healing using prayers and rituals.
The Baylan
So called mediumistic healing. In the Philippines, mediums are believed to possess the power to cure various diseases and to interact with spirits .
Espiritists
These healers are called spiritualist, psychic or astral surgeons who claim to cut incisions with their fingers and perform other miracles of para-science.
Now, since most Filipinos who resort to the help of those faith healers are Christians, the question that arises (independently of whether Christianity is right or wrong, true or not) is: are faith healers consistent with Christianity, at least with the original core teachings of it?
Can the ability to perform miracles come from a source other than the God of the Bible?
Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh of Egypt to request that Israel be allowed to go into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to Jehovah. As evidence of divine backing, Moses directed Aaron to throw down his rod and it became a big snake. That miracle was done by God’s power. But then the magic-practicing priests of Egypt threw down their rods and these, too, became big snakes. (Ex. 7:8-12) By whose power did they perform their miracle?—Compare Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
Matt. 24:24: “False Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs [“miracles,” TEV] and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.”
Matt. 7:15-23: “Be on the watch for the false prophets . . . Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works [“miracles,” JB, NE, TEV] in your name?’ And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Does the way of life of members of the organizations of which “healers” are a part give evidence that they have God’s spirit?
As a group do they outstandingly manifest such fruits of the spirit as love, long-suffering, mildness, and self-control?—Gal. 5:22, 23.
Are Christians supposed to be identified by the ability to do miraculous healing?
John 13:35: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (This is what Jesus said. If we really believe him, we look for love, not miraculous healing, as evidence of true Christianity.)
So, at least from the standpoint of the original teachings of Christ, the practice of faith healing is not very consistent with anything that Christ taught…then whether Christ existed or not, his message is true or not is another story…I am not by any means making any claims about those issues through a blog.
ITALIAN MARRIED TO A FILIPINA 